Times Of Swaziland: REVEALED! BUSI STARTS OWN POLITICAL PARTY

REVEALED! BUSI STARTS OWN POLITICAL PARTY
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Mhlonishwa Motsa on 20/11/2022 17:08:00


MBABANE – Ousted National Chairperson of SWALIMO Busi Mayisela has said the
struggle continues.
Mayisela exclusively revealed to the Times SUNDAY that she has taken a
resolution to form a new political party. She said she was aware that the
tension at  the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) was counter
revolutionary and the difference in opinion was becoming a toxic delay to the
struggle. She revealed that a decision to start a new formation had become a
necessity to fast-track the course for liberation. She mentioned that it was
becoming clear that the struggle needed a new formation to bridge the gap and
create a conducive environment, based on diplomacy and inclusivity for a
fruitful dialogue process. She lamented the fact that there was too much
animosity in the struggle such that the course for liberation had been derailed
by anger and resentment.
Lot of wrong
In a wide ranging interview, the award-winning businesswoman said she suddenly
awaken to the fact that there was a lot of wrong within the foundation of
SWALIMO and there was a lot that could be achieved if a new direction was found.
“I am aware and fully cognisant of the fact that what I set to achieve when I
joined the struggle has not been achieved yet. If SWALIMO was no longer a
conducive vehicle to take me to the ultimate goal of liberating the nation, then
it is only prudent that I find a new vehicle. The people have made a clarion
call and everybody needs to find a way of playing a part. I can, therefore,
exclusively reveal to you that I will be forming a new political party,” she
said.
Unifying structure
Mayisela explained that the new political formation will be an outright party
that would be based on the principles of national unity. She said a major
problem faced by the pro-democratic movement in the country was disunity and
incoherent methods of revolution. She emphasised the need for a unifying
structure that would be open to hearing and understanding the opposition in
order to be able to access what the people want. She said the country needed to
create a middle-placed dialogue table where everyone would meet without the
coats of who they were. “I want to assure you that we are already halfway into
the formation of the political party and soon we will be launching it.
Preparations
“It became apparent that we were soon going to be pushed out and we made the
relevant preparations after noticing that things were no longer as they were.
There was a change in philosophy and the manner at which things were being done.
I then realised that we were actually becoming a mini version of the system we
were calling out for change. We started putting some of our leaders first and
forgot about the struggle of the people. We elevated individuals to godly
statuses and forgot that the course was basically for the people. The new party
I am forming will put the people first,” said Mayisela.
Great lessons
She admitted that she took great lessons from SWALIMO while she was holding
office as the national chairperson. She said one of the lessons she was going to
transfer to the new organisation was to hold a National Congress within the
first six months to ensure that leadership was stable.
Mayisela said the new party was not going to take a direct left stance but was
going to advocate for the people to be considered and for the principle of good
governance to be upheld.
“We are not going to take the extreme measure but we want to bring reason to
the people and be honest about the current political climate to the people and
not sell them a dream, but map out a way that will be custom made to fight for
their freedom. The people have been made to buy into one man’s ideology, but
we want them to be a part of the call, hence we will make sure that an elective
Congress is held earlier to ensure that from its inception, the party becomes a
part of the people,” she added.
Mayisela said the door would be open for the leaders who have since left SWALIMO
or those from other political formations who may want to join the new political
party. She said she was excited to have served with great minds while with
SWALIMO and would not mind to have them in the new formation.
Emphasise
“As I have already mentioned that the organisation would be for the people and
will be pro-the-people, so everyone is welcome to join. There were leaders at
SWALIMO that I consider as family and I want to make it clear that it was not
about being family but was also about the unity in ideas and I would love to
have them if they want to come. Please emphasise that this will only be if they
want to come. The door is open and not only for them, but for all other members
from SWALIMO or any other political movement,” she emphasised.
Mayisela added that she had utmost respect for SWALIMO President Mduduzi
‘Gawuzela’ Simelane and was not holding any grudge against him. She said she
respected Simelane for the sacrifices he made for the sake of the people of
Eswatini. She added that the new political party was not a breakaway from
SWALIMO, but an alternative for the people. “I believe whatever happened at
SWALIMO was just a channel for the river to spill to other new terrains and I am
not afraid to take the leap. I have prayed about it, sought advice and consulted
where necessary and I am now optimistic that this is the way the Lord wants me
to take. I believe I was being groomed at SWALIMO and all the problems I have
faced were just training me  for the task ahead.
Ultimate
“We will get democracy and the people will get what they want, but someone
said a woman is needed to take lead and I am availing myself for the Lord to use
me to get to His ultimate will for the people,” Mayisela said. She requested
not to reveal the name of the organisation as yet, but said there was an
agreement on it with those involved in planning for it. Mayisela was fired
together with Secretary General (SG) Dr Siphetfo Dlamini for suspending Simelane
from his duties as President of the organisation. They were further charged with
plotting a coup against the president.
Dr Siphetfo was not available for comment but sources revealed that he was
strongly linked to the new political party formed by Mayisela. The sources
revealed that Dr Siphetfo was among the first three leaders to take the new
formation to its first congress. “It is believed that the new formation will
be launched in December and the two, Mayisela and the SG, have already started
the documentation and have already agreed on the name of the organisation.
Colour codes have been chosen and the structure is already under construction.
Preliminary documents are 90 per cent drawn and we are waiting to see how
everything will turn out,” said the source.
New formation
One other member who was linked with the move was former Deputy Secretary
General (DSG) Gift Dlamini, who said he was open to joining the new formation
but would have to seriously think the decision through. Gift said he was
currently a member of SWALIMO but was keeping his options open at the moment.
“I am not sure if the national chairperson was ousted because we have not held
an extraordinary conference for such a decision to take place. Should it be
confirmed that she is ousted and she starts something new, would I join? It is
kind of difficult looking at the narrative a certain group is trying to create
about the national chairperson colluding with the secretariat to usurp the
president’s powers; my joining might validate that lie. I would have to think
very hard before joining the organisation which I believe it is still premature
to talk about it as the national chairperson is still fully in her office,” he
said.
Gift said he had seriously considered leaving SWALIMO and was trying to look at
different options before making a solid decision. He revealed that it was not
difficult to work within the organisation due to factionalism.“A wise person
takes his time when faced with a serious decision. I am still a SWALIMO member,
but I will be honest that I am contemplating going back to my political home
SWADEPA. I now like the politics of Economic Freedom Fighters Swaziland (EFFSWA)
and if I were to leave SWALIMO and join another political party that would be my
first choice provided they welcome me, but yes, I have thought about it but as I
have said I am still a SWALIMO member.
Headhunted
“I have always said my serving the people of Eswatini is not dependent on me
being in leadership. In my entire professional career I have always served
people at different levels,” he said. Gift was headhunted by Simelane from the
Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) and was among the first members of the
executive wing of the movement. SWALIMO President  Simelane requested not to
comment on the matter as yet until there was a formal communication on it.
Simelane indicated in his last Family Meeting that he was aware that there could
be a new formation to be formed by some members who were a part of his
organisation.